Cooling systems have failed at another reactor at the same Japanese nuclear power complex that was the site of a worrying explosion Saturday.
Japan's nuclear safety agency, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, reports that the cooling system has malfunctioned at Unit 3 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. The facility houses a total of six reactors.
To try to release pressure from the overheating reactor, authorities released steam that likely contained small amounts of radiation, the government said.
Nuclear plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) said the release caused radiation levels around the facility to rise above the safety limit, but insisted it did not mean an "immediate threat" to human health.
At the same time, authorities are still battling to contain the radiation leak at another reactor in the complex, which was rocked by an explosion early Saturday.
One government official says a meltdown may be underway at one of the reactors
Japan's nuclear safety agency, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, reports that the cooling system has malfunctioned at Unit 3 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. The facility houses a total of six reactors.
To try to release pressure from the overheating reactor, authorities released steam that likely contained small amounts of radiation, the government said.
Nuclear plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) said the release caused radiation levels around the facility to rise above the safety limit, but insisted it did not mean an "immediate threat" to human health.
At the same time, authorities are still battling to contain the radiation leak at another reactor in the complex, which was rocked by an explosion early Saturday.
One government official says a meltdown may be underway at one of the reactors